Timothy Lynn Brown

Timothy Lynn Brown – Tim – was born to Guy J. Brown and Arthelia McMorris Brown in Chicago, Illinois on July 18, 1940. He passed away December 30, 2022, at the age of 82, after a fall at his home. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Pat; sons James M. Brown (wife Tracy), Michael G. Brown (wife Mary), and Eric S. Brown (wife Martha); four grandchildren, Alec Brown, Jackson Brown, Rafe Brown, and Lilly Kay Brown; and brother Thomas Guy Brown (wife Carol) of St. Charles, Missouri. He is predeceased by his parents and beloved daughter-in-law Amy Katherine Burdett Brown.

Tim started life in Chicago, where his dad served as art editor for Children’s Activities magazine. In 1948 the family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, and for many years owned a popular toy and hobby shop. Tim grew up there amidst HO gauge trains, Corgi metal cars, and lead soldiers. He graduated from W. B. Ray High School and Del Mar Junior College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from The University of Texas at Austin in 1962, followed by a law degree, also from The University of Texas, in 1965.

Tim felt fortunate to devote his career and professional passion to water, Texas’ greatest natural resource. He began his legal career in 1966 as an attorney with the Texas Water Rights Commission, later the Texas Department of Water Resources. In 1980 he was named head of the Environmental Division of the Texas Attorney General’s Office. He entered private practice in 1982 and remained active in the practice of water law until sidelined by health issues in 2019.

The state’s preeminent organization for state water supply and policy, the Texas Water Conservation Association (TWCA), recognized Tim with Honorary Lifetime Membership after years of service on the association’s Board of Directors and leadership of its General & Environmental Panel. He was an active member of the State Bar of Texas Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section, which he chaired for a period. He also helped lead a multi-state yearly legal seminar in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on the Law of the Rio Grande, which focused on Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado perspectives on managing, conserving, and sharing the waters of the Rio Grande River.

Tim was active for many years in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, teaching safe boating classes and doing safety patrols on Lake Travis in his cabin cruiser Calypso. He rose to the rank of Commodore in the national organization. Tim also collected vintage military decorations, particularly those of Imperial Austria, and was an active member of the Orders and Medals Society of America. He contributed numerous articles to the organization’s journal and presented seminars at the annual meetings. He was also a member of the UT Osher Lifelong Learning Institute program SAGE and enjoyed the lectures, seminars, and friendships it afforded.

He loved classical music and opera, with favorites Handel and Mozart, and was learning to play the violin at the time of his stroke in 2019. He and Pat attended many classical, Baroque, and early music concerts, and they served on the board of directors of the Texas Early Music Project. One of his favorite memories was a trip to New York with three nights on the front row at the Met. During his time at Austin Speech Labs after his stroke, he prepared and presented several AV presentations about opera.

He had a lifelong interest in history, boats, trains, and classic cars, especially Jaguars. He treasured his 1957 MGA convertible, which he had driven and maintained since 1958. He built soapbox racers for his sons in the 1960’s, plus numerous finely crafted models of sailing ships. A favorite naval hero was England’s Admiral Lord Nelson. He also loved trains and collected railroad silver flatware, china, and other dining car accessories, and especially enjoyed a 2015 three-day cross-country Amtrak trip with Pat.

His sons particularly wanted to tell about his involvement in their lives and activities, as a little league baseball coach, Indian Guides leader, Cub Scouts pack leader, Boy Scouts supporter, and avid helper with race cars for the Pinewood Derby. He provided them a rich and rewarding childhood and, most importantly, was an incredible dad. Lucky enough to have his four grandchildren in Austin, he loved being part of their lives as well, attending many soccer games, school plays, football games, choir concerts, and dance recitals. He was much beloved by his family and will be missed.

The family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses, and therapists who helped Tim the past four years, especially those at St. David’s Rehab Hospital, Dell Seton, Austin Physical Therapy Specialists, and Austin Speech Labs, plus those who helped him with therapy at home.

A memorial service for Tim will be held Saturday, January 28, 2023, 10:30 a.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 5416 Parkcrest Drive in Austin. Anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution might consider some of Tim’s favorites, the Texas Early Music Project, KMFA-Austin, and Austin Speech Labs.